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| In | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
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| Years active | late 1960s–present |
| Territory | Nationwide |
| Ethnicity | Mostly African American[citation needed] |
| Criminal activities | Drug trafficking, robbery, extortion, murder |
The Black Gangster Disciple Nation was formed on the South-side of Chicago in the late 1960s, by David Barksdale, leader of the Gonzanto Disciples, and Larry Hoover, leader of the Supreme Disciples. The two groups united to form the Black Gangster Disciple Nation (BGDN).[1]
The gang has made several attempts to legitimize their image. Some members dropped the "B" and began to call themselves GDs or Gangster Disciples. In the 1990s the Gangster Disciples entered into politics through the formation of the "Growth and Development" movement. [1] Outside of Chicago some gangs will still go by the old name of BGD.[2]
Gangster Disciples have been documented in the U.S. military, found in both U.S. and overseas bases.[3] Graffiti characteristic of the Gangster Disciples has been reportedly seen in U.S. military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. [4]
Gangster Disciples follow a strict code and use symbols and hand signs to communicate alliances and rivalries.
Any of these can be incorporated into drawings, onto notes, hand signals, into a private alphabet, or displayed in various forms on clothing and private or public property[5]
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